Co-op embroiled in equal pay tribunal with former HR Chief

The Co-op Group has been taken to a tribunal by its former HR Chief who alleges she was sacked because she warned the company it could be paying men and women differently for the same roles.

Co-op, which owns a retail chain and a funeral services provider amongst its wide-ranging offerings, is facing claims from Sam Walker of discrimination and unfair dismissal.

Walker, who was appointed Chief HR Officer at Co-op in 2014, during a time of financial turmoil for the firm, claims she first raised questions over equal pay in 2015 after comparing her salary to other male executives at the firm.

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Her lawyers claim that an independent assessment of executive roles by the Hay Group rated her role higher than Board members who were remunerated at £550,000 p.a. - whilst she was paid £400,000.